Martha Plimpton, a 2007 Tony Award nominee for her performance in the Tony-winning Tom Stoppard trilogy The Coast of Utopia, has joined the cast of the Public Theater's upcoming Shakespeare in the Park presentation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Martha Plimpton
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Plimpton will play Helena in the production; she replaces the previously announced Missi Pyle, who has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict.

Complete casting has also been announced for the production, which will be directed by Daniel Sullivan (Rabbit Hole, Proof) and will run Aug. 7–Sept. 9 with an official opening Aug. 23.

Martha Plimpton received a Tony nomination and Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her work in The Coast of Utopia. She has previously been seen at the Public Theater in productions of Boston Marriage, Pericles and The Hagaddah. Plimpton's screen credits are numerous. Performances of Shakespeare in the Park are Tuesday through Sunday at 8 PM. Tickets are free and are available on the day of the performance (two per person) at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park beginning at 1 PM and at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (near Astor Place), from 1-3 PM.

The closest entrances to the Delacorte are at 81st Street and Central Park West or 70th Street and Fifth Avenue.

For additional information about Shakespeare in the Park, call (212) 539-8750 or visit The Public Theater website at www.publictheater.org.